Door frame



June 2 1953 J. SYLVAN 2,642,966

DOOR FRAME Filed Dec. 23, 1950 INVENTOR. JOSEPH an 44w A rrazMn s Patented June 23, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to an improved door frame or the like wherein frame elements preferably formed of extruded metal sections are secured together at the corners in an improved manner and with improved means.

An object is to provide a frame structure of the character described which is generally of a rectangular shape in outline and wherein the corners are so secured together as to provide a rigid substantial corner structure and the construction is such that the frame may be quickly built up out of sections of similar cross-sectional shape.

Another object is to provide a frame structure of the general character set forth wherein each frame element has a linear extending portion which has a box-like rectangular shape in crosssection and the end of the box-like shape of one frame member abuts against a side wall of the box-like shape of a cooperating frame member and tension means are provided at the corners connecting said elements together through the f box-lik portions thereof. are readily attached and exert a tension to hold the component frame members tightly together at the corners. Such tension elements are simple and inexpensive and may be quickly replaced. They maintain a secure, firm connection at the corner of the frame so that the rigidity and general rectangular character of the frame is maintained against dislocation.

More specifically, the frame elements are pref-- erably formed of extruded metal shapes of a general H-shape in cross-section and wherein the bridge portion of the H-shape has a rectangular box-like shape in cross-section.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the structure will more fully appear from the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a cornerfragment of a frame embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the corner fragment shown in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the upper end'of the upright frame element of a corner fragment shown in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line ll of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the tension clip shown in Figs. 2 and 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of anend fragment of the horizontal section shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is an elevation of a lower corner fragment of a frame embodying the invention.

Such tension elements bent over as at 22. ends 22 inserted through the apertures it in 5 Claims. (01. 18 9-46) just as Well be adapted to a screen or window frame because it relates to the frame elements which go to make up a generally rectangular frame and the shaping of such elements at the corners and the connections thereb-etween. As

illustrated, the frame is made up of cross-sectional shapes of the same general configuration. These shapes may be extruded metal shapes such as extruded aluminum sections. While slight difierences are exhibited between the shapes used in the upper and lower frame members as compared with the upright side members of the frame, such difierenoes are minor and generally the shapes ar similar.

As illustrated and shown particularly in Figs. 3, 5 and 7, the structural frame element is generally H-shaped in cross-section. It exhibits a linearly extendingbox-like portion of generally rectangular shape indicated as it. This box-like portion 5 G constitutes the bridge part of the H-shape and has legs l2 projecting in opposite directions away from the box-like bridge portion It], all as shown in the figures of the drawing.

The legs [2 of the portion which is to constitute the upright section of the rectangularframe are cut-away adjacent to one end forming shoulders M and the adjacent side wall of the box-like portion is provided with two apertures 15 as shown in Fig. 3. The H-shape which forms the horizontal section is illustrated in Figure 7 and the end of this H-shape is adapted to rest upon the shoulders M of the end of the cut-away shape abutting against'the apertured side wall of the box-like portion thereof so that two opposite side walls of the box portion [0 of the horizontally disposed shape, which opposite side walls are indicated by the numeral l6 have end abutment against the apertured side wall of the cooperating element adjacent the apertures I 5 as shown particularly in Figure 2. side. walls IE is provided with a pair of apertures Is as shown in Figure 7.

Spring or tension clips 20', shown particularly in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, are provided to secure these H-shaped sections together at the corners. Each clip 20 is of a general U-shape, somewhat like a hair pin with'the free ends of the two legs Each such clip 2i) has its one of the two opposite walls It or the box-shape as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The big-ht end of the clip projects beyond the end of the section with g which the free ends of the clip are connected.

Each of these two opposite 3 This bight end 24 of the clip is extended through one of the apertures I in the side wall of the cooperating frame element as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 8.

When the bight ends of two clips 20 are extended through the two apertures l5 as shown in Figure 2, a pin 26 may be driven through the bight ends of the two clips, all as shown in Figure 2. This pin might be tapered, but as shown in Figure 2, it is a straight pin and it is driven through the bight ends of the two clips against the spring tension developed in the bent over free ends 22 of the clips so that a constant spring tension is maintained thereon and on the connected ends of the sections at the corner. A stop pin or screw 28 may be provided as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

The securement of the shapes together is the same at each corner. Fig. 8 illustrates a lower corner and Fig. l ail-upper corner.

To complete and finish off the H-shaped sections to form a frame of suitable attractive appearance, channel-shaped elements Ware-provided. These channel-shaped elements are inserted as shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 5 between the legs l2 of the H-shaped section. The two side walls of .the channel elements 30 are tensioned outwardly so as to resiliently engage the legs I2 and hold the channel elements therein at whatever position or depth to which they may have adjusted. Obviously, these channel elements might be adjusted to varying depths to accommodate the frame to a particular size opening, all within suitable limits.

As shown in Figs.'1, 3 and 5, the upright H-shaped section may havev one of the legs 12 of greater width than its corresponding leg, note particularly Figs. 1 and 5 in which the leg indicated by the numeral 32 has a greater width than its complementary leg. This is for the purpose of providing a stop against which a screen or window frame might rest as it was disposed within the opening in the door frame.

What I claim is:

1. In a frame of the character described having two cooperating frame elements secured together to form a rightangled corner, each element being substantially H-shaped in cross-sec tion with the bridge of the H-shape being rectangular in cross-section, the end of one frame element having the legs of the H beyond one wall of the bridge cut-away adjacent to the end of the element, said wall provided with two apertures therethrough, the end of the other element abutting against said side wall of the first element having two opposite side walls of its bridge dis-' posed in proximity to said two apertures, said two opposite side walls of the bridge of the other element being provided each with an aperture, a tension clip for each of said two side walls of said bridge connected at one end therewith and having its opposite end extending through an aperture in the side wall of the first element and connected therewith.

2. In a frame of the character described comprising two cooperating frame elements secured together to form a rightangled corner, each element being substantially H-shaped in cross-section with the bridge of the H being rectangular in cross-section, the end of one frame element having the legs of the H beyond one wall of the bridge cut-away adjacent to the end of the ele! 'bridge wall and having its bight end extending through an aperture in the side wall of the one element, and a securing pin extending through the bight ends of said clips exerting tension thereon holding said frame elements together.

3. A frame of the character described having two cooperating frame elements secured together to form a right-angled frame corner, each element comprising a linear portion of box-like rectangular shape in cross section, the end of the box-like shape of one element abutting a side wall of the box-like shape of the other element, said first mentioned box-like element provided with a pair of apertures within each opposite wall, said second mentioned element provided with two apertures within the side wall abutted by the first mentioned element and adjacent the apertured side walls thereof, a U-shaped tension clip for each of said two opposite side walls of said first mentioned element having its two legs connected at their free ends to the pair of apertures in one of the side walls of said first mentioned element and having its bight end extending through an aperture in the abutting side wall of the second mentioned element, and a securing pin extending through the bight ends of said clips exerting tension thereon holding said frame elements together.

4. The invention as described in claim numbered 2 characterized in that said frame is provided with channel pieces disposed for inward or outward slidable adjustment between the legs of the H-shaped elements and frictionaily engaged therein to maintain adjusted positions between said legs closing the space therebetween.

5. The invention as defined in claim number 1 characterized by a U-shaped spring clip adapted to engage the apertures in the respective elements and extend along the outside of the opposed faces of said other element and through the apertures in the first mentioned element, and wedging means engagin the clips at their bights and abutting the inside of the first mentioned boxlike element adjacent the apertures and tensioning the two elements together.

JOSEPH SYLVAN.

24,331 Great Britain Oct. 20, 1910 

